PM Philip Pierre demands assistance from global world for recovery from Beryl

Castries, Saint Lucia: Philip Pierre, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and CARICOM’s lead on Climate Change issued a strong call for the world’s largest climate change contributors to compensate Small Island Developing States for severe climate hazards they faced due to Hurricane Beryl.

He noted that despite contributing only 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions, SIDS are disproportionately affected by the harsh outcomes of climate change and receive minimal climate financing.

He further marked that several Caribbean islands such as Carriacou and Petite Martinique experienced the harsh destruction of their agricultural sector housing and national infrastructure due to Hurricane Beryl.

PM Pierre also noted that Saint Lucia did not suffer any extensive damage as Grenada and St Vincent but still their communities got severely impacted. He gave an example of Soufriere’s waterfront which was harshly devastated by storm surges and resulted in businesses and homes being flooded.

Saint Lucia also suffered the loss of jetties; the boat owners also lost their vessels and livelihoods and a flooded cemetery. PM Pierre stated that these severe impacts shed light on the urgent need for substantial climate financing to aid in recovery and build a climate resilience nation with the motive to fight against future disasters.

For the same, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip Pierre also urged the opposition to unite with the government in addressing those critical climate change issues. He stated that their survival depends on the collective action and support from the international community.

He also added that SIDS need immediate and substantial climate financing in order to protect the people, economies and future of Saint Lucia and other Caribbean regions as well.

Moreover, the Government of the island nation is extending its unwavering support to the vessel owners in Soufriere who lost their boats and livelihoods due to the tropical storm surge. The leader is also resolute in his determination towards helping these resilient individuals in order to help them rebuild their lives and return to supporting their families.